Danger at Antelope Slot Canyon

Undulating Walls of the Antelope Slot Canyon

Undulating Walls of the Antelope Slot Canyon

I can see why the Antelope Slot Canyon is popular. This is despite it being seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It is a wonder that this place was discovered at all. The environment is so inhospitable that it would be dangerous to be in the area for long periods of time. I am not even talking about the extreme desert heat. If it rains here, it can also be very dangerous with massive volumes of water being squeezed through a narrow passage, the current would have been very powerful. In fact, it was powerful enough to wash people out who were in the canyon at the time, twelve people died.

Dragon's Eye at the Antelope Slot Canyon

Dragon’s Eye at the Antelope Slot Canyon

This is not just some flash flood, because the canyon walls are so narrow, the water can reach nine feet high. Anyone who is unlucky enough to be here when it happens will probably not make it like those tourists. The flash flood doesn’t just bring water, it also brings sand and rocks. Our tour guide showed us a photo of a specific spot before and after a storm. You can see how the after photo has a few feet more sand compared to the before photo. It is really sobering to realize that such a beautiful place could be so dangerous. These days, the weather is constantly monitored so that even if there is a storm somewhere far away, tours would be called off for safety’s sake.

[xmlgm {http://www.worldwanderings.net/kml/AntelopeSlotCanyon.kmz} zoom=19]